[flickr id=”6944222678″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”original” group=”” align=”center”]

PINHOLE CAMERA: HOW TO CONSTRUCT A PINHOLE CAMERA

In the previous lesson, the students learned the basic functions of an SLR camera and were given three shooting assignments based on a theme, such as line and pattern or up, down, and through. In this lesson, the students will apply their previous knowledge to understand and perform the assignment of creating a pinhole camera. Within the lesson, students will learn the history behind the pinhole camera, how it works/functions, and the careful procedure of creating a pinhole camera. Later in the project, the students will learn the technique and procedures for capturing a picture using their pinhole camera that they have constructed.

[flickr id=”6944225404″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”original” group=”” align=”center”]

Materials Needed for Construction:

– Tin or thick cardboard box (or cylinder)

– Soda can (cut in 2 inch squares)

– Sand paper (220/400 grit)

– Pin needle

– Black electrical tape

– Flat black spray paint

– Scissors

– Black Permanent Markers

– Cutting board

How to Construct a PINHOLE CAMERA

[flickr id=”6944246314″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”original” group=”” align=”center”]

Steps of construction found in hand-out:

1. Find and bring in a tin or thick cardboard box/canister.

2. Drill or cut a hole on one side of the canister (ASK FOR TEACHER ASSISTANCE).

3. If you drill a hole in your tin canister, it is important to use 220 grit sand paper to get rid of the metal that pushes out like a volcano. Then rinse with water and dry. If you cut a whole out of a cardboard canister, you want to have that edge be cleanly cut, because any lose hanging fibers may get in the way of the light rays entering the camera.

4. Get a 2×2 inch square of aluminum, pin, and cutting board. Remember you need a perfect pinhole to create a clear image in pinhole photography. When you press your pin, make sure the aluminum is flat on the cutting board and you press the pin straight down on the surface carefully. (DO NOT bend the piece of aluminum)

5. Similar to the canister, we need to use 400-grit sandpaper to remove the burr or “volcano” from the aluminum to create a flat and clean pinhole. Sand for 15 minutes and then rinse with water and pat dry.

6. Color the aluminum with a black permanent marker on the side that goes inside the box (one side).

7. Use the 220 grit sand paper to rough up the surface of the inside of the canister and rinse with water to prepare it for spray painting.

IMPORTANT Rules of Spray painting: Spray paint at least 12 inches from your pinhole camera to avoid thick application, which causes a reflective surface. Spray paint must be used outside, with newsprint underneath, and you want to stay up-wind of the spraying. Also, DO NOT spray anything other than the pinhole camera. Any spraying on school property will result in a visit to the Dean.

[flickr id=”6944223898″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”original” group=”” align=”center”]

8. Once the inside of the canister and the pinhole are covered in black, you can carefully place the aluminum pinhole piece over the hole on the canister. Then, you are going to use black electrical tape to tape down the aluminum piece making sure the tape crosses each other to create a light-tight seal.

9. Use a piece of electrical tape to cover the pinhole. This will act as your shutter speed and lens aperture to control the amount of light that reaches the recording surface.

[flickr id=”6944224266″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”original” group=”” align=”center”]